It's a strange thing how you yourself believe you're behaving as you normally do, but because of the anxiety you're suffering, although you think it well hidden, other people notice it immediately.
A good example was when I used to have to drive my mother in law to church.
You never notice the way your mind is being insidiously twisted by the condition.
I note the symptoms of panic and anxiety below.
As time went on, though, it became apparent that my driving was becoming decidedly dangerous! Poor old mother told my wife that I seemed to be in a sort of waking sleep.
I argued the point hotly.
It seemed to me that I was fine...
until I was forced to admit that I couldn't remember the journey at all.
Even I had to agree that my driving was becoming, shall we say, an adventure, to such an extent that when it came time to renew my license, it was obvious that my driving days were over.
Broadly speaking, there are four characteristics of the mental conditions concerned with these disorders.
Palpitations.
Sweating or chills.
Excessive hand washing.
Continually drinking water.
Your feelings can swing from euphoria, right to the other extreme of sadness or anger and in certain cases, that you're being observed and monitored by the C.
I.
A.
through your television.
Thoughts of suicide reared their ugly heads in my case, and the thoughts became more and more enticing.
It was after my discharge from hospital, where I'd been sent shortly after my driving career ended.
They sent me home with a whole slew of drugs to take, but proper psychiatric treatment in this establishment was sadly lacking.
One of the symptoms I suffered was severe shaking, making it almost impossible to write.
The symptoms of Panic Disorder are numerous, and any four could mean you're suffering the condition.
1.
Choking.
2.
Chills or sweating.
3.
Shaking or Trembling.
4.
Stomach Pains.
Nausea.
5.
Dizziness.
6.
Depersonalization, (personality change).
7.
Hyperventilation.
8.
Tingling or Numbness.
9.
Chest pains.
10.
Fear of Dying.
11.
Fear of Insanity.
It should be made quite clear at this point that although you may feel as though you're suffering a heart attack, nothing could be further from the truth.
Please understand that there is nothing to fear from this.
General Anxiety is sometimes known as 'Free Floating.
' With this condition, it's impossible to pinpoint the cause.
My anxiety over the years still remains a mystery to me.
It would come and go.
But why? The answer remains elusive